The Old Vine seems Dying--New Life--The Reformation--Tidings Reach the Waldenses--They Send Deputies into Germany and Switzerland to Inquire--Joy of Œcolampadius--His Admonitory Letter--Waldensian Deputies at Strasburg--The Two Churches a Wonder to each other--Martyrdom of One of the Deputies-- Resolution to Call a Synod in the Valleys--Its Catholic Character--Spot where it Met--Confession of Faith framed-- The Spirit of the Vaudois Revives--They Rebuild their Churches, &c.--Journey of Farel and Saunier to the Synod 52 CHAPTER VII. PERSECUTIONS AND MARTYRDOMS. A Peace of Twenty-eight Years--Flourishing State--Bersour--A Martyr--Martyrdom of Pastor Gonin--Martyrdoms of a Student and a Monk--Trial and Burning of a Colporteur--A List of Horrible Deaths--The Valleys under the Sway of France-- Restored to Savoy--Emmanuel Philibert--Persecution Renewed--Carignano--Persecution Approaches the Mountains--Deputation to the Duke--The Old Paths-- Remonstrance to the Duke--To the Duchess--To the Council 63 CHAPTER VIII. PREPARATIONS FOR A WAR OF EXTERMINATION. Pastor Gilles Carries the Remonstrance to the Duke--No Tidings for Three Months--The Monks of Pinerolo begin the Persecution--Raid in San Martino--Philip of Savoy’s Attempt at Conciliation--A Monk’s Sermon--The Duke Declares War against the Vaudois--Dreadful Character of his Army--The Waldenses hold a Fast, &c.--Skirmishing in Angrogna--Night Panic--La Trinita Occupies the Val di Lucerna--An Intrigue--Fruitless Concessions--Affecting Incidents--La Trinita Demands 20,000 Crowns from the Men of the Valleys--He Retires into Winter Quarters--Outrages of his Soldiers 77 CHAPTER IX. THE GREAT CAMPAIGN OF 1561. Mass or Extermination--Covenant in the Valleys--Their Solemn Oath--How the Waldenses Recant--Their Energetic Preparations--La Trinita Advances his Army--Twice Attempts to Enter Angrogna, and is Repulsed--A Third Attempt--Attacks on Three Points--Repulsed on all Three--Ravages the Valley of Rora--Receives Reinforcements from France and Spain--Commences a Third Campaign--Six Men against an Army--Utter Discomfiture--Extinction of La Trinita’s Host--Peace 88 CHAPTER X. WALDENSIAN COLONIES IN CALABRIA AND APULIA.